PREVIEW

Steve Harris

@steveharris84

MATCH DETAILS

Eastbourne Borough versus Torquay United – National League South

Venue: Priory Lane, Eastbourne

Date: Tuesday 28th November 2023

Kick-off: 7.45pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Torquay: 3

Draw: 0

Eastbourne: 1

FORM GUIDE

Torquay: L, W, L, W, W, L

Eastbourne: L, W, L, L, D, L

TOP SCORERS

Torquay: Aaron Jarvis (9)

Eastbourne: Zak Emmerson/Fletcher Holman/Decarry Sheriff (5 each)

EASTBOURNE FACTFILE

Year founded: 1964 (as Lagney Sports)

Nickname: The Sports

Last season’s league finish: 8^th in National League South

Eastbourne notable honours:

National League South:

Play-off winners: 2007-08

Sussex County League:

Division One Champions: 1998-99, 2002-03

MANAGER – MARK BEARD

Former Millwall, Sheffield United and Southend United midfielder Mark Beard took charge of the Sports in the summer following the departure of Danny Bloor to Welling United.

Beard had previously worked as assistant manager to Marc White at Dorking Wanderers and he also coached the youth teams at Brighton and Hove Albion, where one of his young charges was the Seagulls Irish hot shot Evan Ferguson.

He also managed Haywards Heath Town and Tooting and Mitcham United.

BEARD STATS

Date of Birth: 08/10/74 (49)

Appointed: 8th June 2023

Other Clubs Managed: Haywards Heath, Tooting, Loxwood, Brighton U18s,

PLAYER TO WATCH – ZAK EMMERSON

Currently on loan from Championship side Blackpool, Zak Emmerson is the Sports’ joint top-scorer with five goals.

After progressing through the youth ranks of Oldham Athletic, Emmerson made his debut for the Latics at the age of 15 against Walsall – which saw him become the second youngest player in EFL history in 2019.

He then moved onto Brighton and Hove Albion in 2020, but failed to make an appearance before signing for the Tangerines.

EMMERSON STATS

Position: Striker

Date of Birth: 10/08/04 (19)

Place of Birth: Unknown

Height: 1.80m

Former Clubs: Oldham, Brighton, Blackpool

OLD BOYS

Torquay: None

Eastbourne: None

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Torquay United (4-1-3-2)

Rhys Lovett

Dylan Crowe – Ollie Tomlinson – Dean Moxey – Archie Harris

Brett McGavin

Jack Stobbs – Asa Hall – Callum Dolan

Bradley Ash – Theo Williams

Eastbourne (4-4-2)

Harrison Foulkes

George Brown – Michael Olafewaju – Archie Proctor – David Sesay

Shiloh Remy – Imran Uche – Fletcher Holman – Jack Clarke

Callum Kealy – Zak Emmerson

LAST MEETING

Saturday 13^th April 2019, Torquay United 2 Eastbourne 0, NLS

Goals from Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Jake Andrews proved to be enough to seal the victory that secured the National League South title for Torquay United – their first league title since 1926-27, which they achieved with three games to spare following Woking’s defeat at Chelmsford.

The Gulls attempted to seize the early initiative on seven minutes when Kalvin Kalala was denied by a last ditch tackle by Eastbourne left-back Kristen Campbell, who conceded a corner in the process.

From the resulting flag kick, Andrews picked out Saikou Janneh who was denied by the reflexes of Sports keeper Samuel Howes.

Eastbourne went close in the 20th minute when Charlie Walker connected with a Lloyd Dawes cross – only to see his headed effort smartly saved by United keeper Shaun MacDonald.

Two minutes later, the Gulls were awarded a penalty after Andrews was tripped by Eastbourne right-back Tobi Adebayo-Rowling. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans stepped up to take the spot-kick, which was parried away by Howes but Wales Under-21 international Lemonheigh-Evans reacted quickest to the rebound to give United the lead.

In the 65th minute, the visitors had a penalty appeal turned down following a challenge by Ben Wynter on sub Stefan Ljubcic – but referee Jack Packman waved away Eastbourne’s protests.

Eastbourne then threatened on 71 minutes when Walker tested MacDonald with a shot from the edge of the area that the United keeper was equal to.

With seven minutes to go, the Gulls added a second when a Liam Davis cross found Janneh who teed up Andrews for his 12th of the season which he rifled into the roof of the net, which proved to be decisive. The final whistle sparked scenes of jubilation once Woking’s result against Chelmsford was confirmed.